The newly chartered American Indian Academy of Denver (AIAD) and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) successfully held an afterschool computer science event on August 26 at the Denver Indian Center.
After the dinner provided by AIAD, students and parents gathered together for an evening of hands-on computer science learning using Sphero BOLT robotic balls. Sphero BOLT is an app-enabled robot that teaches children science, technology engineering and math (STEM). It combines education, play, and creativity. There is a wealth of technology jammed into a clear polycarbonate-encased ball that is the size of a baseball. Inside the ball are processors, hardware, motors and sensors. Beginning or advanced users can drive the robot and run programs using simple or complex coding from a tablet.
The AIAD students took to the Sphero BOLT programming activities like fish to water. They were divided into two groups. The upper grade students worked on programming their BOLTs to navigate schematic designs on the carpeted floor. Before Ruth Cameron Blackhawk, AISES senior program officer, could finish her presentation, the BOLTs were zipping across the room. Soon BOLTs were racing from one side of the room to the other and down hallways. Some children changed the internal LED color display or they programmed the BOLT to strobing capability. Parents and volunteers got in on the action by providing direction and issuing challenges like using the BOLT to circle a person’s feet, a chair leg, or spin in place.
“The three-hour event went by too fast,” said Ruth. “They’re having so much fun I hate to tell them it’s over.” Well, it’s not really over! A BOLT Starter kit was left with AIAD as a learning tool for the students to use at the new AIAD school that is opening in 2020 in Denver.
Terri Bissonette, Founder of the AIAD commented, “AIAD wants to thank AISES for providing this incredible opportunity for our future students! We had approximately 20 K-12 children who attended the robotics event and they absolutely loved it! The Sphero BOLT robots are intuitive and both simple and complex - making them accessible for all ages and skill levels. We are looking forward to being able to provide ongoing learning opportunities for our kids in the area of computer science through the Sphero BOLTs. We've also already begun discussing ways in which we can Indigenize the experience as well!”
Funded by General Motors, the SPRK-ing Interest in STEM and Computer Science (STEM+CS) program supports schools and teachers serving Native students. The program engages students in hand-on STEM+CS activities powered by Sphero BOLT technology, created by AISES and tailored to Native students.
Now in its second year, AISES partners with the toy company Sphero to bring their educational spherical robots to Native-serving K-12 schools across the country. Sphero is easily integrated into STEM curricula, allowing even the youngest students to learn programming, engage in hands on STEM+CS activities, bridge technology and the arts, and enjoy creative discovery with their classmates.
The goal of this STEM+CS program is to inspire young Native minds to pursue and excel in their STEM and Computer Science education. It also helps to build the capacity of educators and schools to provide cutting-edge technological STEM+CS experiences for its students by providing teacher trainings, lesson plans, and all equipment necessary to incorporate Sphero in the classroom.
For more information about the Robotics and Computer Science programs at AISES visit https://www.aises.org/students/pre-college.
